Not only was this the year for good food and good restaurants it was also the year for good wines. They came from all over, from Portugal to France, to Italy. These are the perfect wines
for giving
and feasting during this holiday season.
Eric Asimov gave his top ten choices for 2017.Not surprisingly, they're all imports. For those looking for a
red that can go with everything from an elaborate crown roast to a humble minestrone choose the 2015 Rosso Viola from the Luciano Saetti vineyards
.It's also great for those with allergies because it's made without any sulfur dioxide
, the common stabilizer used in more commercial wines
.It's dry, earthy and meaty
.thanks to the
salamino grapes that make it. Aligote grapes figure in the Roulots wineries offerings. According to Mr. Asimov, his are exceptional. There's a freshness to them
, along with a saltiness
. The wine is manufactured fr
om the historic Burgundy
region Another wine he likes come from the Bergerac region in southwestern France. The area, Pecharmant, is home to the Britsh mystery writer, Martin Walker, author of the Bruno mysteries. He and Mr. Asimov shared a 2005 Pecharmant from
Tireand, with another literary connection. The owner is Francois Xavier
de Saint Exupery is the cousin of Antoine
de St
.Exupery, author of
The Little Prince. The wine itself is changing, losing its' fruitiness to more complex and richer flavors.
Portugal was a destination for the Asmovs and they took advantage of the country's great vineyards and wines
.He tried a glass of the classic Madeira, Blandy's
malmsey 1992. Even though it's
quarter of a century
old it's still considered a baby. Most can last for decades and even centuries
.It was without the usual cloying sweetness, the flavor having an acidic complexity
.Mr. Asimov also tried a classic
one made from
nebbiolo rose grape
.It had been popular at one time
, being planted in the vineyards of Barolo and Barbaresco
.It was a pale colored wine
, Barbaresco Podere
del Pajore, fermented in 1970. Unfortunately the producer no longer exists and also has been said that the
nebbiolo rose grapes never existed either
.(although I did more research
on line and found out it does exist and you can buy something similar, the Lei Li Rose 2014, not in Piedmonte but in Jerone
Arizone (!) of all places. For those planning a
winetasting party this holiday season, pair these wines with Melissa Clark''s
gougere's cheese puffs filled with pancetta and sage. The recipe is flexible
,Add anything you want
, from anchovies and extra cheese to olives.
herbs and garlic.
This holiday season try these wines. They are perfect for gift giving or dinners
.Try them and taste why they the best of the year.
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